Two dedicated organizations that maintain an overlapping trail network in the Keweenaw Peninsula will join Copper Shores for Giving Tuesday next week.
The Keweenaw ATV Club leads large trail projects during summer, while the Keweenaw Snowmobile Club takes charge when snow falls. From winter to summer, the clubs work closely together to maintain the trail network. Ryan LaPorte, Keweenaw Snowmobile Club president, said joining with more than 50 other nonprofits helps when both clubs focus heavily on trail systems.
“Whether it’s ATV, snowmobile or non-motorized, we’re all coming together around the same basic principle. We love the community that we live in. We want to continue to develop it in a responsible way that allows our visitors that there are so many of to use it in a way that’s responsible,” LaPorte said. “By us partnering together, we’re able to leverage those resources in a more effective manner.”
LaPorte noted rising costs and fewer volunteers make collaboration essential.
“Things cost more. There’s less volunteers doing the work. So by banding together to do projects together and jointly, allows the dollars to go that much further that are even more limited for every organization year in and year out,” he said.
Kitty Beleck, Keweenaw ATV Club vice president, said many people don’t understand how clubs maintain funding. The majority of project funds and money for trail maintenance come from user fees collected by the Michigan DNR. The state’s provided funding has limited uses and grant opportunities have become competitive. Last year the un-restricted funds helped the ATV complete capital upgrades, such as repairing the trial grader.
“Most people don’t know how our funds work. So it gives us an opportunity to educate them on how it works. Because we’re a nonprofit. But we’re user funded, I mean that’s through the DNR. But they don’t do the work that the volunteers do. So it’s important to me to get out and tell them how our funds work,” Beleck said.
In 2024, the Keweenaw Snowmobile Club raised $10,000, with funds supporting the recently completed trail maintenance and groomer barn. Last year’s Giving Tuesday campaign raised $4,100 to support Keweenaw ATV.
More information about both clubs participating in Giving Tuesday 2025 with Copper Shores is available online.
Learn more about the Keweenaw ATV Club here.
Learn more about the Keweenaw Snowmobile Club here.
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